Nestor Impelido – “The perception on Saint John Bosco in the Philippines during the 20th century” in “Percezione della figura di don Bosco all’esterno dell’Opera Salesiana dal 1879 al 1965”

The Salesians definitively came to the Philippines in 1951, after the negotiations conducted by the out-going Provincial of China, the Servant of God, Fr. Carlo Braga, and with the first Salesian presence in a school that was established by an U.S.A. military chaplain.

But even before their arrival, the invitations and requests made to the Superiors of Turin by bishops and laymen revealed how they valued the Salesians and their possible working in the Philippines. This study wishes to contribute to the theme of this Congress on Salesian History on how St. John Bosco was perceived by people beyong that of the Salesians, in the period that covers the 20th century. It is, in fact, a first attempt to try to document the perceptions of peoples regarding the Saint within the previous century. Certainly, the method used is the historical, attempting to give details that are documented.

I Salesiani giunsero definitivamente nelle Filippine nel 1951, dopo le trattative condotte dall’Ispettore uscente della Cina, il Servo di Dio, p. Carlo Braga, e con la prima presenza salesiana in una scuola fondata da un cappellano militare degli Stati Uniti. Ma ancor prima del loro arrivo, gli inviti e le richieste rivolte ai Superiori di Torino da vescovi e laici hanno rivelato come si tenessero in conto i Salesiani e la loro possibile opera nelle Filippine. Questo studio vuole contribuire al tema di questo Congresso di Storia Salesiana su come San Giovanni Bosco è stato percepito da persone al di fuori del mondo salesiano, nel periodo che copre il XX secolo. Si tratta, infatti, di un primo tentativo di documentare le percezioni dei popoli nei confronti del Santo entro il secolo precedente. Certamente il metodo utilizzato è quello storico, cercando di dare informazioni documentate.

Index:

• 1. Premise
• 2. Introduction
• 3. “Inspired Works”
• 4. Perceptions before the Arrival of the Salesians
  • 4.1 First Perceptions
  • 4.2 Further Perceptions by Non-Salesians
  • 4.3 Bishops’ Perceptions on Don Bosco
• 5. The Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) and Saint John Bosco
  • 5.1 Don Bosco Parish and Don Bosco School Baguio
  • 5.2 Don Bosco High School Lagawe
  • 5.3 Don Bosco Boys’ Association
  • 5.4 “To My Filipino Boys”
• 6. Schools of St. John Bosco in the Philippines
  • 6.1 De La Salle – John Bosco College
  • 6.2 St. John bosco Institute of Arts and Sciences
  • 6.3 St. John Bosco School
  • 6.4 St. John Bosco College of Northern Luzon
• 7. Don Bosco Corporations
  • 7.1 Don Bosco Foundation for Sustainable Development
  • 7.2 Don Bosco Multipurpose Cooperative
  • 7.3 Don Bosco Multi-Speciality Clinic
• 8. Conclusion

Reference time period: 1911 – 2009

Reference institution:
ACSSA